Overview

Bladder cancer usually occurs within the lining of the bladder, which stores the body’s urine, and can grow into the bladder wall. The exact causes of bladder cancer are unknown. Some of the symptoms for bladder cancer are quite similar to other non-cancer related illnesses. If detected early and treated, the overall five-year survival rate for bladder cancer is 77 percent, and 96 percent for noninvasive bladder cancer.

Benefits of Proton Therapy

• High-energy, precisely-targeted proton beams can deliver high doses of radiation to destroy cancerous cells, reducing recurrence rates for many cancer cases.
• Proton therapy is non-invasive and may reduce side effects.
• Patients treated with proton therapy may have increased tolerance for chemotherapy.
• Patients can maintain their current quality of life during and after treatment.
• It is sometimes used effectively to treat areas that have already been treated with radiation.

Sources: American Cancer Society, American Society of Clinical Oncology, American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and National Cancer Institute